Engraving with Alison Kinnaird

I've mentioned this briefly in a couple of blogs this week so I thought I explain it fully. 

On Tuesday we started- what will be weekly- engraving classes with Alison Kinnaird. As you may know I am already interested in engraving and I've done a bit in the past with the help of Ainsley Francis. So for me this is a really wonderful opportunity! 

So far we've spent two days working together and already I feel as though I've come on loads, both in my technical understanding of (copper wheel) engraving and my actually ability to do it. 

Sausage fingers. 

Today we were concentrating on figures and trying to build people up in the right order (so the right bits look like they're sticking out in the right places). Usually I avoid human forms like the plague as I feel like I'm absolutely useless with them so it was really good to be pushed into something outside of my comfort zone. 

The thing I tripped up on the most was trying to work out what size of cut each wheel would make but I think by around half way through the day I had kind of got the hang of it. I even attempted feet and hands which if you have ever seen any of my life drawing before you will know I hate! 

Not the best photo. 

Close up- ish. 

These photos are really annoying as you can't see my successful hand and foot, just the one that looks as though they have an oven mitt on. I'll have to take some photos in a better light!

Over the next few weeks we're planning on trying out Graal, Cameo engraving and also printing using engraved glass rollers. I'm going to be super busy but it's so exciting, it's all going to be worth it.